Support freedom of the press – The Missoulian

The new administration is questioning the motives and actions of legitimate news outlets as a way to prioritize its own rhetoric, distract us from unconstitutional directives and quash dissent. While we must hold the press accountable, we must also preserve their independence.

Freedom of the press is front and center in our democracy. The First Amendment clearly states this: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. But freedom of the press is dismissed routinely by totalitarian governments. Control of the media is one of the first goals of those who would control any society.

In Russia, the Kremlin controls national television, newspapers are mostly owned by those with ties to the Kremlin, and punitive laws criminalize dissent and criticism of Putins government. Even in America, freedom of the press has been challenged. Despite Jeffersons declaration that he would rather have newspapers without a government than a government without newspapers, the Sedition Act was passed in 1778.

Fortunately, the courts continue to re-affirm freedom of the press. As Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black wrote in 1971, "The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government."

Steve Bannons attacks on the free press are attacks on the First Amendment. It is crucial for citizens to support impartial and independent reporting by reading broadly, objecting to censorship, examining and rejecting fake news and subscribing to publications that inform us about the administrations actions. The publics right to know is at stake.

Read the original post:

Support freedom of the press - The Missoulian